Where to stay in St. Thomas depends on the kind of trip you want: easy beach access, dining nearby, ferry convenience, quiet views, or a more local-feeling stay.
Planning a trip to St. Thomas and trying to decide which side of the island to stay on?
Good news: St. Thomas is only about 13.5 miles long, so nothing is wildly far from anything. You are not choosing between “civilization” and “the middle of nowhere.” But each area does have its own personality, perks, and transportation needs.
At BlueSalt Properties, we manage vacation rentals all over the island, so here’s a simple breakdown to help you decide where to stay in St. Thomas based on your travel style.
Where to Stay in St. Thomas for First-Time Visitors: East End
The East End of St. Thomas is one of the most popular areas to stay, especially if it is your first visit.
Why? Because it puts you close to a lot of the things travelers usually want nearby: beaches, restaurants, activities, shopping, excursions, and the ferry to St. John.
The East End is close to popular beaches like Coki Beach, Lindquist Beach, Sapphire Beach, Secret Harbour, and Cowpet Bay. It is also where you will find easy access to the St. John ferry, including both the people ferry and the car ferry. So if a St. John day trip is on your list, staying on the East End makes that plan much easier.
This area is also one of the easier places to use taxis, especially compared to the more remote parts of the island.
Stay here if you want: Convenience, beach options, restaurants nearby, ferry access, and an easy first-time St. Thomas experience.
BlueSalt Properties on the East End
- 39 Windward Way — 2 bedrooms, sleeps 6
- Cabrita Cliff House — 7 bedrooms, sleeps 18
- Camion Argent — 1 bedroom, sleeps 4
- Cloud Nine Condo — 2 bedrooms, sleeps 7
- Crystal Cove A14 — 2 bedrooms, sleeps 6
- Dominica 163 — 1 bedroom, sleeps 6
- Elysian M204 — 2 bedrooms, sleeps 6
- Pineapple Village 3308 — 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6
- Pineapple Village 3510 — 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6
- Pineapple Village 3612 — 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6
- Pineapple Village 3715 — 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6
- Saint Sunrise — 2 bedrooms, sleeps 7
- Sea Breeze — 3 bedrooms, sleeps 10
- Solana Retreat — 1 bedroom, sleeps 4
- St. Kitts 306 — 1 bedroom, sleeps 2
Where to Stay in St. Thomas for Dining and Shopping: South Side
The south side of St. Thomas is another convenient option, especially if you want to be close to dining, shopping, and central island access.
This area gives you easy access to Havensight, Yacht Haven Grande, downtown Charlotte Amalie, restaurants, shops, and cruise port areas.
You can usually utilize taxis in this area, and you are still only about a 10 to 15-minute drive to Red Hook, depending on traffic and where exactly you are staying.
The south side is a good middle-ground option because you are not tucked away somewhere too quiet, but you are also not right in the heart of the East End.
Stay here if you want: Dining, shopping, easy taxi access, and a central location for exploring.
BlueSalt Properties on the South Side
- Bakkero Villa — 5 bedrooms, sleeps 15
- On the Rocks St. Thomas — 1 bedroom, sleeps 4
- Sea Cliff 18-32 — 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8
- Secret Beach — 5 bedrooms, sleeps 11
- Small Haven Villa — 4 bedrooms, sleeps 9
- Villa Hygge — 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6
- Water Edge — 2 bedrooms, sleeps 6
Where to Stay in St. Thomas for Views and Magens Bay Access: Central Northside
The central northside includes areas like Mahogany Run, Peterborg, Wintberg, and the Magens Bay area.
These areas are known for beautiful views, quieter surroundings, and easy access to one of St. Thomas’ most famous beaches: Magens Bay.
From many homes in this area, you are about a 5 to 7-minute drive to Magens Bay, which is a pretty lovely little vacation perk.
That said, this is an area where renting a car usually makes sense. Taxis are possible, but they are not always as easy or convenient as they are on the East End or south side.
One exception: if you are traveling with a larger group, especially six or more people, private transportation or taxi coordination may work better depending on your plans.
Stay here if you want: Views, a quieter stay, quick access to Magens Bay, and you are comfortable renting a car.
BlueSalt Properties on the Central Northside
- Azure Seas — 2 bedrooms, sleeps 5
- Azure Vista Estate — 5 bedrooms, sleeps 10
- Bikini Bottom at Villa Lago — 1 bedroom, sleeps 4
- Chez Moo Villa — 4 bedrooms, sleeps 10
- Hillside Retreat — 1 bedroom, sleeps 4
- Isle Blue Haven — 4 bedrooms, sleeps 10
- Retreat on Rock City — 1 bedroom, sleeps 4
- Stardust Villa — 4 bedrooms, sleeps 11
- The Vintage Virgin — 1 bedroom, sleeps 2
- Villa Santorini — 5 bedrooms, sleeps 10
- Villa Water’s Edge 41L — 2 bedrooms, sleeps 5
- Vista Luna — 2 bedrooms, sleeps 6
Where to Stay in St. Thomas for a Quiet Local Feel: North and West Side
If you are looking at areas from Hull Bay and farther west, expect a quieter and more remote St. Thomas experience.
This side of the island is beautiful, peaceful, and less busy, but you will definitely want to rent a car if you stay here.
Popular nearby beaches include Hull Bay Beach, Brewers Bay, and a few “if you know, you know” local spots.
The north and west sides are great if you want a slower pace and do not mind driving. You will likely be farther from the busiest restaurant areas, ferry access, and more tourist-heavy beaches, but that is also part of the appeal.
This is the side of the island for people who want quiet mornings, local-feeling beach days, and a little more breathing room.
Stay here if you want: Peace and quiet, local beaches, fewer crowds, and you are definitely renting a car.
BlueSalt Properties on the North and West Side
- Belle Vue — 5 bedrooms, sleeps 17
- Casa Buena Vista — 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6
- Cliffside Retreat — 2 bedrooms, sleeps 8
- Cloud View Condo — 3 bedrooms, sleeps 8
- Mango Cove Villa — 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6
- Shore Adore — 2 bedrooms, sleeps 6
- Summit Breeze Hideaway — 2 bedrooms, sleeps 6
- The Loft at Cliffside Retreat — 1 bedroom, sleeps 4
- The Studio at Cliffside Retreat — 1 bedroom, sleeps 4
Do You Need a Rental Car in St. Thomas?
It depends on where you stay.
For the East End and parts of the south side, taxis are generally easier to use. These areas are more convenient for travelers who do not want to drive.
For the central northside, Peterborg, Mahogany Run, Hull Bay, and the west side, renting a car is strongly recommended.
Here’s the easy version:
- East End: Taxi-friendly and convenient
- South Side: Taxi-friendly in many areas
- Central Northside: Rental car recommended
- North and West Side: Rental car strongly recommended
Driving gives you more freedom, especially if you want to beach-hop, explore different restaurants, or stay somewhere quieter.
So, Which Side of St. Thomas Should You Stay On?
Here’s the quick recap.
Choose the East End if:
It is your first visit, you want convenience, you want to be near lots of beaches, and you plan to visit St. John.
Choose the South Side if:
You want dining, shopping, downtown access, and a central location.
Choose the Central Northside if:
You want beautiful views, a quieter stay, and quick access to Magens Bay.
Choose the North or West Side if:
You want a more remote, peaceful stay and do not mind renting a car.
Choosing where to stay in St. Thomas really comes down to how you want your trip to feel: easy and convenient, central and active, scenic and peaceful, or quiet and tucked away.
The Bottom Line
There is no one “best” side of St. Thomas for everyone. It depends on the kind of trip you want.
If you want easy, convenient, and close to the action, the East End is usually the safest bet, especially for first-time visitors.
If you want dining and shopping nearby, look at the south side.
If you want views and quick access to Magens Bay, the central northside is a beautiful option.
And if you want quiet, local-feeling beach days, the north and west sides might be your match.
The island may be small, but choosing the right home base can make your trip feel smoother, easier, and a lot more relaxing.
Explore BlueSalt Properties’ vacation rentals across St. Thomas and find the stay that fits your island plans.
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